Sometimes in the darkest of times, we get to see the best in people, and never has that been more needed than in the current abortion 'debate' over Roe v Wade. The Supreme Court (America’s highest court, now packed with conservative justices appointed by Trump) is currently deliberating on a Mississippi abortion law that could ultimately decide the future of Roe v Wade, the 1973 court case which formally enshrined legal abortion into law. According to a recent study by Guttmacher Institute, this could mean that 26 states are certain or likely to ban abortion (or at least, make radical changes to its availability).
In real terms, this means that those with a uterus will no longer have autonomy over their own bodies and be forced to seek ‘underground’ abortions that put their mental health, their body and their life at risk. Rightfully, the prospect of a widespread abortion ban has caused uproar, with many taking to social media to express their disdain at the current situation. The issue is, it can be all too easy to feel totally helpless in a situation like this, or to feel as though however load you raise your voice, you can't make an impact.
“The prospect of losing my rights to govern my own body is making me physically ill”.
However, TikTok users are proving exactly how you can stand up and support those with a uterus who are seeking an abortion, by sharing videos offering ‘safe spaces’ to those in states where this kind of termination may no longer be legal.
One such video, uploaded by user @seaweedsiren, said: “To all my neighbours with a uterus in the United States. I'm an hour and a half from Toronto in Cottage Country. If you need to go to the ”cottage", I'm here. We went swimming and drank wine," with the caption simply containing the hashtags: #ifwegodownthenwegodowntogether #handsoff #mybodymychoice #neveralone #womensupportingwomen
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And it doesn't take much searching to find other users offering the same support to those in need. Creator @camillalor, who has almost one million followers on TikTok, shared a video asking people to “comment” if “you live in a country where ab0rt!0n [sic] is legal, and are willing to host someone with a uterus in need of healthcare.”
“This was a vote for evidence over ideology, a vote for reproductive rights, and a vote for gender equality.”
The text, which ends with “keep your laws off our bodies” runs in a continuous loop over a static image, and has already received over 13,000 likes and more than 1,000 comments. “Norway, Tønsberg, we have a car and a spare bed room & we’ll gladly pick you up & drive you anywhere and everywhere,” replied one user, while another wrote: “wales, we have comfy beds, we have lots of tea, we'll get a takeaway, you can sleep all day and you can chose what we watch on tv.”
"Canada, just next to the US border from malone, plus I go in mtl every day, so can totally drive someone to a "camping" site🇨🇦🇨🇦I have airbnb too!" added one, as a healthcare worker said: “Canadian nurse close to the border.. my door is forever open 🥰.”
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And only a few scrolls on, user @ysebaeradres uploaded a video captioned, “fuck yes to this trend. #roevwade #prochoiceisprowomen #wegodowntogether.” The clip itself, which shows the creator leaning against a fence and looking into the camera, is overlaid with the words: “To my American besties: I live 20 minutes from the Michigan border. If you want to come ‘see my cows’ for the weekend let me know. I can give you a safe space to recover from ‘seeing my cows’."
The video already has over 100,000 likes with other users showing solidarity in the comment section: “Love women loving beyond borders. womanhood. sisterhood. no boundaries. 🤝✊,” wrote one. “As a Texan these videos are so comforting💕,” said another.
The stigma and guilt stops women from seeking support.
In fact, an increasing number of these videos can be found, often under the hashtag #wegodowntogether across the app. And, for those who can't offer a ‘safe space’ for someone in need, they've been finding other ways to show their support, commenting “I'll provide the wine” or “I'll reimburse the gas money” under videos offering a place to stay, as well as many simply using it as an opportunity to let those who might find themselves in unthinkable situations know that they are not alone.
This outpouring of support will no doubt come as great comfort to those who are currently in danger due to their need, or want, to terminate a pregnancy, and is a much-needed reminded of the goodness of humans, during a time when this can feel questionable.
Wxmen of the world, may we always be a safe space for each other, online, offline and always.
